Offensive tackle Trent Williams jumped on a video conference call with reporters for about 15 minutes today. He shared his thoughts on being traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he will reunite with head coach Kyle Shanahan.
There were reports that Williams had refused to be traded to the Minnesota Vikings, which denied.
"As far as the trade goes, there was not necessarily a veto from me," Williams said from his home in Houston. "I think the Vikings, long-term, and what I looked at long-term, it didn't sync up. They just really dropped out. It wasn't me refusing to go."
As for joining the 49ers, Williams couldn't be happier.
"I'm extremely excited to get back in the building with, not only Kyle, but there's a ton of coaches in there who were with me from my first four years of my career," Williams said. "So, you know it's going to be a happy reunion. ... This was a preferred destination of mine just because of the familiarity I have with Kyle and the offense. Obviously, it being an ascending team, I felt like I'd fit right in."
Williams doesn't feel like the transition from Washington to the 49ers, because of the familiarity, will be a difficult one. He feels confident that he could line up in the huddle today and run a play, if necessary.
"I think the reason I was drafted to Washington is the way that me and this offense kind of marry up with my skillset," Williams commented. "I think that's still the same. I think it's a hand-and-glove fit. And obviously, I kind of know this offense like the back of my hand."
Williams said he had a lot of time last year to sit and watch football, so he was able to watch the 49ers a lot, due to their success.
"I watched a ton of 49ers tape," he said. "And me just being so familiar with the coaching staff, I just always kind of felt like an extended part of the family. I always had a biased view when I watched the game, obviously going for Kyle."
A small post-game skirmish in 2013 between Williams and new teammate Richard Sherman, then with the Seattle Seahawks, made its rounds on social media following the tackle's trade to the 49ers. It doesn't sound like it will create an awkward situation, though.
"People don't know this, but me and Sherm, we talked that night after the incident," Williams shared. "We kind of buried the hatchet then. We've, since then, built a good relationship over the past seven years. He's one of the guys I talk to a lot in the offseason. I see him a few times.
"We've been good friends for a minute. I'm kind of happy to be on a team with him."
Williams spoke briefly about replacing a Niners icon, Joe Staley, who announced his retirement over the weekend and opened the door for Williams' arrival.
"You don't replace a guy like Joe," the new 49ers tackle said. "It's one of those guys that you just kind of get used to not being there. It takes some time, just not having that face in the locker room. It takes some getting used to.
"You don't really replace him, you just kind of learn to live without him. Hopefully, I can make that a little easier."
Staley said Wednesday on 95.7 The Game that he was excited the 49ers managed to acquire Williams, and knows the left side of the offensive line is in good hands.
"I couldn't be more ecstatic to have Trent with the Niners," Staley said. "I've long really respected his game. He's an absolutely tremendous left tackle."
As for Williams' contract status, he's willing just to see how things play out.
"We both agreed that we can just take a wait-and-see approach," Williams said. "I mean, it's the last year of my deal. Obviously, there's an incentive for me to play well, and obviously they had to give up a third-rounder next year, so they're kind of invested in a deal as well.
"I think both parties are interested in something long-term, but I'm OK with just kind of getting my feet wet, and just playing it out."